as in regulating
to make changes to (something) in order to keep a desirable balance, proportion, etc.
He takes insulin to modulate his blood sugar levels. She kept talking during the performance, making no effort to modulate her voice.
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Recent Examples of modulating
Adaptogens work primarily by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis — the system that governs your stress hormones — and balancing cortisol.
—
Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Calming involves controlling your internal biological responses, such as lowering your heart rate and breathing rate, and modulating your outward behavior.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
The approach has nothing to do with maximizing screentime or superseding her actual director, but modulating her performance within a broader context.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
It’s made with guayusa (a natural source of L-theanine and caffeine) and gotu kola (for modulating GABA).
—Brianna Peters, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
Even for women uninterested in modulating their feelings and behavior to fit a societal standard of supportive positivity, perimenopause is presented as a hazard to health and well-being.
—Patricia Bencivenga, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
The approach that works for him involves periodized nutrition, modulating his fat and carbohydrate consumption based on his day-to-day training needs.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 5 Mar. 2026
Joe was modulating it brilliantly and knowing how much of it to use and not to.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Its main tool is its ability to raise and lower interest rates, modulating the pace of economic growth to keep unemployment low and inflation steady.
—Binyamin Appelbaum, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Calming involves controlling your internal biological responses, such as lowering your heart rate and breathing rate, and modulating your outward behavior.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
The approach has nothing to do with maximizing screentime or superseding her actual director, but modulating her performance within a broader context.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
It’s made with guayusa (a natural source of L-theanine and caffeine) and gotu kola (for modulating GABA).
—Brianna Peters, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
Even for women uninterested in modulating their feelings and behavior to fit a societal standard of supportive positivity, perimenopause is presented as a hazard to health and well-being.
—Patricia Bencivenga, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
The approach that works for him involves periodized nutrition, modulating his fat and carbohydrate consumption based on his day-to-day training needs.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 5 Mar. 2026
Joe was modulating it brilliantly and knowing how much of it to use and not to.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Its main tool is its ability to raise and lower interest rates, modulating the pace of economic growth to keep unemployment low and inflation steady.
—Binyamin Appelbaum, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modulating
Verb
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His reporting takes him to the headquarters of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the state agency tasked with regulating oil and gas.—
Katie Campbell,
ProPublica,
2 June 2026
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As for regulating the use of AI for mental health, a few states enacted new policies last year.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The system delivers millimeter-level force-control accuracy, automatically adjusting applied force according to task requirements and material characteristics.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
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At its core, ThermoShift is basically a rectangular insulated panel with zippers, buckles and drawstrings, and all of its configurations are achieved by adjusting those components.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Companies across sectors continue to adopt AI tools in hopes of improving efficiency, reducing costs, and accelerating innovation.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
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Multi-generational engagement and transparency Technology is also improving communication between family members, executives and external advisers.—
Paul Westall,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Treatments range from Chinese-inspired, correcting the flow of qi within the body, to Ayurvedic, rooted in India’s most ancient healing science.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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But pay close attention to the difference between how a reputable news organization acknowledges its mistakes—namely, by transparently correcting them—and how Trump or Musk reacts to being called out for getting something wrong.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modulating. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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